I got this message in my in box recently, now I don���t know who this
guy Kim is personally, I also don���t know where this message originated
from but I think this is worth passing on to you fellow pinoys here in soulcast.

The message goes: As you know, we have plenty of
Koreans currently studying in the Philippines to take advantage
Of our cheaper tuition fees and learn English at the same time.
This is an essay written by a Korean student I want to
share with you. (Never mind the grammar;
it's the CONTENT that counts ) Maybe it is timely to
think about this in the midst of all the confusion at present.

MY SHORT ESSAY ABOUT THE PHILIPPINES
Jaeyoun Kim

Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the
Philippines. Do you really think the corruption
is the problem of the Philippines ? I do not think so.

I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of love
For the Philippines.
Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might
Help you understand my point.
After the Korean War, South Korea was one of the
Poorest countries in the world. Koreans
had to start from scratch because entire country was
destroyed after the Korean War, and we had no
natural resources.
Koreans used to talk about the Philippines , for
Filipinos
were very rich in Asia . We envy Filipinos.
Koreans really wanted to be well off like Filipinos.
Many Koreans died of famine.
My father & brother also died because of famine. Korean
government was very corrupt and is still very
corrupt beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to
develop dramatically because Koreans really
did their best for the common good with their heart
burning with patriotism.
Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their
neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with
the spirit of patriotism.
40 years ago, President Park took over the government to
reform Korea . He tried to borrow money
from other countries, but it was not possible to get a loan
and attract a foreign investment because the
economic situation of South Korea was so bad. Korea had
only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine
workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money
to Korea to build a factory.
They had to go through horrible experience.
In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money.
Hundred of Koreans in Germany came to the airport to
welcome him and cried there as they saw the President
Park
. They asked to him, "President, when can we be well off?"
That was the only question everyone asked to him.
President
Park cried with them and promised them that Korea would be
well off if everyone works hard for Korea , and the
President of Germany got the strong impression on them and
lent money to Korea . So, President Park was able to build
many factories in Korea . He always asked Koreans to love
their country from their heart.
Many Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back
to Korea to help developing country
because they wanted their country to be well off.
Though they received very small salary, they did their
best for Korea . They always hoped that their children
would live in well off country.
My parents always brought me to the places where poor and
physically handicapped people live. They
wanted me to understand their life and help them.
I also worked for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only
thing I learned from Catholic Church was that we have to
love our neighborhood. And, I have loved my neighborhood.
Have you cried for the Philippines ? I have cried for my
country several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so
many poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison. What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have any love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church. They pray everyday.
However, they do not love the Philippines . I talked to
Two prisoners at the maximum-security compound, and both of
them said that they would leave the Philippines right
after they are released from the prison. They said that they
would start a new life in other countries and never
come back to the Philippines .
Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we
Were able to share our wealth with our neighborhood. The
Owners of factory and company were distributed their profit to
their employees fairly so that employees could buy what
they needed and saved money for the future and their children.
When I was in Korea , I had a very strong faith and wanted
to be a priest. However, when I came to the Philippines
, I completely lost my faith. I was very confused when I
saw many unbelievable situations in the Philippines . Street kids always make me sad, and I see them everyday. The Philippines is the
only Catholic country in Asia , but there are too many poor people here.
People go to church every Sunday to pray, but nothing
Has been changed.
My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this
situation. They told me that Korea was much poorer than
the present Philippines when they were young. They are so sorry
that there are so many beggars and street kids. When we went to
Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because
it would fun. However, they were not happy after taking a
boat. They said that they would not take the boat again
because they were sympathized the boatmen, for the boatmen
were very poor and had a small frame. Most of people just took a boat and
enjoyed it. But, my parents did not enjoy it because of love
for them.
My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I
was very young told me that if we just go to mass
without changing ourselves, we are not Catholic indeed. Faith
should come with action.
She added that I have to love Filipinos and do good things
for them because all of us are same and have received a
great love from God. I want Filipinos to love their
neighborhood and country as much as they love God so that
the Philippines will be well off.
I am sure that love is the keyword, which Filipinos should
remember. We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It
should start from person. Love must start in everybody,
in a s mall scale and have to grow. A lot of things happen
if we open up to love. Let's put away
our prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes.
I discover that every person is worthy to be loved.
Trust in love, because it makes changes possible.

Love changes you and me. It changes people, contexts
And relationships. It changes the world. Please love your
neighborhood and country.
Jesus Christ said that whatever we do to others we do to
Him. In the Philippines , there is God for people who are
abused and abandoned. There is God who is crying for
love. If you have a child, teach them how to love the
Philippines
. Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood
and country. You already know that God also will be very happy if you love others.
That's all I really want to ask you Filipinos.

Comments

queenparanoia
said Jun 9, 2007...

sadly, hard to accept his statement but its all true. there is no love for our country... i hope someday this will change though...

Ormocanon
said Jun 10, 2007...

qp, all is not lost...aasenso din ang 'pinas. There are many private individuals and organizations who are engaged in nation building...they're just not in the limelight.
Sana dadami pa ang katulad nila. :)
What we need are heroes to inspire us, I'm not talking about the kind who would not mind dragging the country down just to get rid of Pres. Arroyo, rather, I'm talking about the mayor who makes his city a good environment for business to thrive, the governor who makes his or her province attractive to potential investors, the government employee who wouldn't take grease money...the teacher who goes the extra mile to make her students learn...
Funny, but it's the 'rotten apples' that usually get the media mileage.

queenparanoia
said Jun 10, 2007...

yeah youre right...
i think our country should invest more in technology and in education than use the money in pork barel. tingnan mo ibang bansa grabe ang asenso di ba? japan was a mess after world war II pero ngayon grabe they live in the future while we stay in the past!

Rhodes
said Jul 2, 2007...

yes, i think the korean is right. only a very small fraction of the Filipino people still feel for this country. I think this korean is also one of the very very few KOreans who aren't prejudiced towards our race.

Ormocanon
said Jul 8, 2007...

"..only a very small fraction of the Filipino people still feel for this country.." I beg to disagree on that, Rhodes. Had you stated instead that "a very small fraction of politicians still feel for this country." -I would have agreed. Its been the politicians that have been screwing us all these years; they amassed millions while they're in power. Marcos started it big time and I guess he established a precedent.

Rhodes
said Jul 19, 2007...

to Ormocanon..So are you saying that there are more Filipinos who still feel for their country? If this is true why isn't it evident? If you ask me, these politicians are just representatives of a larger portion. It so happened that they are in the limelight because they're politicians. Who put them into power in the first place? The very people who cared enough to exchange the future of their country for a day's pay?!!?
And regarding Marcos, I can't understand why the Filipinos think he is to be hated when in fact it was only during his time that the Philippines really soared.

queenparanoia
said Jul 19, 2007...

ay away kayo? sige nood lang ako dito ;)

Ormocanon
said Jul 20, 2007...

"It so happened that they are in the limelight because they're politicians. Who put them into power in the first place? The very people who cared enough to exchange the future of their country for a day's pay?!!?"
-- good point there Rhodes."...regarding Marcos, I can't understand why the Filipinos think he is to
be hated when in fact it was only during his time that the Philippines
really soared." --Rhodes, Marcos set a precedent in stealing big time. His ill-gotten wealth is well documented and amounted in the billions of dollars.Just imagine, when ordinary folks steal, the government sends them to the Bilibid Prisons.In the case of the Marcoses, the government had to negotiate with them about the recovery of the stolen money.qp, hindi away ito, this is an honest to goodness discussion about us pinoys and the sad reality that many filipinos sell their votes during elections.

queenparanoia
said Aug 3, 2007...

hoy. huwag ka namang anonymous! magpakilala ka!!! =) by the way you have a point!!! =)

Ormocanon
said Jan 10, 2008...

" to be honest, i don't feel as patriotic as I was
in my younger years... I just live my life and do my best one day at a
time coz you never know who's the next wacko among our government
leaders who will 'rock the boat' and leave us to start all over again..." -anonymousYou have a very good point, anonymous, ...live life and do one's best one day at a time makes sense to me.

pinoythinker
said Mar 29, 2008...

During a short-lived term in the 90's, I recall the Philippines being regarded as the new Tiger of Asia. This meant that the prospects of the country, in comparison to most of east/southeast Asia, was very high and the country received great attention from global businesses. Unfortunately, the "boom" never came.
Who are we? What is our identity? Ano ba ang pag-ibig natin? Ano ang gusto natin?

Ormocanon
said May 11, 2008...

"This meant that the prospects of the country, in comparison to most of
east/southeast Asia, was very high and the country received great
attention from global businesses. Unfortunately, the "boom" never came.
Who are we?"- pinoythinkerUnfortunately, we pinoys have this horrible habit of gleefully indulging in self-distruction.

LeekangBi
said Aug 13, 2008...

Right! everybody has his/her own way of thinking.So,a change should begin with oneself before you can make others to change.I'm Korean and I've been living in the Philippines for about 5 years now and based from my own observation,there's so many differences between two countries but there's also many things in common.I can say Korea is advanced from infrastructures and technological side.But If I would be asked to choose where to live?I would rather choose Philippines.Why did I say that? it's because I think majority of Filipinos are friendly and approachable I felt like I'm in my real home compare way back when I was still living in Korea.
As for the present Philippine economy, it's not that bad at all and in fact it is growing rapidly in spite of many uncontrollable circumstances.It's the only country in whole Asia to have a GDP growth of 13%.
My children are also studying in the Philippines and from them I can tell that they're much more happy compare when we were in Korea.
As for the love for country.I don't think it is lacking from Filipinos.
It's the same as anybody Else's patriotism.I converse with my Filipino friends in Korea and they said that if given the opportunity they would not live their country if only work will be abundant.
Sadly there are still poor regions in the Philippines that needs a great priority to start a good standard way of living.
As I've already said there are bad and good people so we cannot do anything about it.A change should start from oneself and that's what I think Filipinos are lacking of the guts to change norms.It has something to do with political leaders in the Philippines.If they would only give a heart full of priority in making jobs abundant, wrong norms will be changed to positivity and success will come easy.
That's what my country did.More jobs for the people, for the people will give the life to their country.
I love Filipinos they're good to us even if we are strangers.We'll no one is perfect so I do not expect Philippines to be perfect.
As long as unity is there Philippines will reach it's peak of success just like my country.

queenparanoia
said Aug 14, 2008...

leekangbi: i'm glad you like our country... ;-)

rickyc
said Aug 24, 2008...

Im a 25 yr old male from London, living in Philippines. I find Koreans to be rude, arrogant and racist. Korean only became richer because of aid and protection given from the western world. The reason being your country was frontline on the war against communism. It has nothing to do with love?????? or that koreans are better the filipinos, or any other shit you may be inclined to write. I would personally rather talk with 1 poor filipino then 100 hundred rich Koreans, I would certainly have more fun. If a countries success was measured in laughter and happyness, not GDP and dollars, Philippines would be the envy of the world, probably number 1. Korea Im sure would linger near the bottom probably behind Iraq and Afghanistan. I choose to live in Philippines, not for the obvious reasons girls and cost of living, but because I always find myself smiling, laughing and dancing when here. I am already deciding to leave Philippines though it has become infested with ugly racist koreans, who kill the atmosphere. So I'm off to Brazil soon, I pray it will be void of Koreans.

Ormocanon
said Sep 6, 2008...

"I am already deciding to leave Philippines though it has become infested with ugly racist koreans, who kill the atmosphere. So I'm off to Brazil soon, I pray it will be void of Koreans." - rickycGood thing you don't hate Filipinos rickyc, or you'd be very disappointed and get a headache wherever it is you plan to go, you see, we've already conquered the world. We're everywhere. :)

dan6772
said Sep 16, 2008...

I am a filipino and somehow got the point of this nice korean.He has a point to make that we should examine ourselves not examining others or the politicians.We should love our country and if our politicians are the problem let it be let them be as long as every one of us do the right thing and always thinking positively everything will be alright....Do not be bothered by these politicians as the saying goes you cannot change others because you have no control over them but you can change yourself because you have control over yourself.

dan6772
said Sep 16, 2008...

I think the move to revolutionize the burning love we have lost for our country must start with our mindset. Let us rally behind our government no matter what.Let us not think of other's point of view that its alright for the Philippines to be poor and be trampled by races from outside world.There is a need for us to rethink our position and change for the better lets start from ourselves and the rest will follow...or else we will be trampled upon.

rahj
said Oct 24, 2008...

as long as they dont federalized the country there is no improvement in the philippines!

Yonamaria
said Nov 8, 2008...

it's very admirable that even a KOREAN wrote this, the people is the key, with the help of those government officials of course. and they call themselves leaders?! plain rubbish, they don't even have love for our country! what a shame. scammers. *sighs* I would do anything to improve the state of the Philippines, but it takes all the Filipinos, and not just I alone.
TC! GOD BLESS!

kb0bz
said Nov 25, 2008...

these are some of the attitudes why the filipino/philippines is still poor:
1. they are good in BLAIMING others
2. LAZY
3. they are selling there votes to selfish politicians for hundred bucks only. and that hundred bucks is just good for 1minute spending..and suffer for the rest
4. they are good in waiting for what the government can do to save there lives
5. and there government is fucked up,waiting for dollar remittances from domestic helpers abroad,they called as new hereos. what a heck!
6. and they dont love their own country! what a shame!

Ben
said Feb 17, 2009...

I read this article and i feel shame on this, there are many poor people here in the philippines and i am one of them, i was so sad that i saw this on my time. But even we want to step forward and look for another way on how to change it.. I think we have to start it on our own values.

jmark00meipia
said Mar 4, 2009...

what can i say.. all i can say is that there is a part of us filipinos wherein there is greedyness.. true, love can be a reason why philippines is suffering from poverty but for me, while reading this essay that kim wrote, i feel that theres something lacking in it.. when i had my last vacation in Philippines, i found out that the people there are too somewhat evil.. ang sama ng ugali, grabe!!
filipinos just want to brag and brag.. we must learn from the sayings on kim's essay so that we will not to be laughed at and look down under us..

tuner41
said Mar 24, 2009...

"Im a 25 yr old male from London, living in Philippines. I find Koreans
to be rude, arrogant and racist. Korean only became richer because of
aid and protection given from the western world. The reason being your
country was frontline on the war against communism. It has nothing to
do with love?????? or that koreans are better the filipinos, or any
other shit you may be inclined to write. I would personally rather talk
with 1 poor filipino then 100 hundred rich Koreans, I would certainly
have more fun. If a countries success was measured in laughter and
happyness, not GDP and dollars, Philippines would be the envy of the
world, probably number 1. Korea Im sure would linger near the bottom
probably behind Iraq and Afghanistan. I choose to live in Philippines,
not for the obvious reasons girls and cost of living, but because I
always find myself smiling, laughing and dancing when here. I am
already deciding to leave Philippines though it has become infested
with ugly racist koreans, who kill the atmosphere. So I'm off to Brazil
soon, I pray it will be void of Koreans." -rickycfirst of all, i need to say that a small number of people in a race should not reflect the whole race. what you said about how koreans are rude, arrogant, and racist can go for some koreans but not for all just like it can go for other races too. although, i do know a korean that thinks his country south korea is better than the philippines because of the economic status which does show arrogance but i also know koreans that are cool and are also my friends.rickyc, i am only half filipino and grew up in the united states but i find what you said about filipinos true. they are welcoming and friendly to anyone who goes there and just expects people to respect them back. they also make sure that everyone who visits has a good time which is the reason why many people from different countries visit the philippines.also, i honestly do not agree with the essay because there is no reason why filipinos would not love their country. since most filipinos are friendly to anyone who visits their country, they should be proud of their hospitality. well maybe some filipinos might be frustrated about their economic status but i dont think that should be a factor in whether they should love their country. what really matters is their personality and attitude toward other people which is why people like rickyc enjoy being around them. like with what rickyc said but reworded without the specific races: "it is better to be around 1 cool person than 100 jerks" which does not in any way represent the koreans as jerks

Juan_Makabayan
said Mar 24, 2009...

This is true..guess what its not too late for us Filipinos if we teach our kids now .. in school in our home.. if we teach them the true meaning of love.. not just to love a person but love as a whole... if we teach them to respect and be thankfull to what they have in life I think some day Filipinos can really be proud of our country... if we love our country we can have a better place to live... a clean place where people respect each other, a diciplined filipino is the key to success.
High Five ! ! !

Person123
said May 12, 2009...

*to the person who said it was Marcos that made the Philippines soar...you're a "total" airhead and aren't reading clearly -.- ...in the past the Philippines was second to Japan in terms economy and education... but when Marcos came in the picture.. BAM!...the the Phils. went down in a flash, and it was hard to get up ever since...*also... to the person who said that South Korea started way before the Phils...wow...confirm your facts first...please...-.- ... the Korean War was in the 1950's ...and Korea was poorer than the Phils. back then..they had to start from scratch...so the Phils. was in fact the one who started first... again ... it was only when Marcos showed up that the Phils. fell... and yeah South Korea had some help to rise but at least they maintained being a progressive country*and to all the Filipinos that would be reading this, here are some of Filipino problems:1.FILIPINOS ALWAYS BLAME OTHERS (the government)(Gloria Macapagal is raising our economy..she's not pushing it down OKAY?)..(besides someone new(i hope so) will replace her next year anyway (Hopefully the new pres. will make the economy skyrocket!) 2.SOME FILIPINO PEOPLE ARE FREAKING LAZY! (always praying is good but c'mon...with no action? *blech* 3.FILIPINOS ARE WAY TOO FREAKIN' OPTIMISTIC example: Poor Fil: Oh , were happy with our lives and our family is happy that's all that matters even if we're way too freaking poor....Rich Fil/foreigner: -.- .....whaat? ...where the hell do you pull your happiness from?.... Optimistic+Hardworking-ness = money for better life = ETERNAL HAPPINESS4.HALF(or at least 40%) of the FIL Population ARE DUMB/STUPID (whichever) and don't really care about their stupidness...they only care about entertainment...-.- ...Fix these problems..or at least minimize them....and you'll see a Rising economy right thereIf your a Fil and you don't have any of the problems above...well good for you. I hope it stays that way...Ok i'm done... I hope i enlighten some of you :)... and maybe some will get angrier xDand yes I am a Filipino :) ...who is luckier(richer) than most of you

Ormocanon
said May 20, 2009...

"4.HALF(or at least 40%) of the FIL Population ARE DUMB/STUPID (whichever) and don't really care about their stupidness...they only care about entertainment...-.- .....and yes I am a Filipino :) ...who is luckier(richer) than most of you - person123To those of you who feel slighted by person123's remarks and want to prove him wrong, here's an opportunity to prove you're part of the solution to our nation's problems.

abakada
said Jun 3, 2009...

yeah. the korean is right. how many politicians are being blamed? well in fact, all of us are in fault.
this essay is so inspiring. I also felt that much love for our country.. but it's also tiring... sometimes.
Filipinos are intelligent people. In fact, many of our inventors who have been rejected by the government (because of lack of budget) went abroad and became famous. How many among us thought of offering our knowledge and capabilities to the Philippines instead of abroad without regards to the salary? I mean, hello. we have to wake up. It's time to change.

woooooot
said Jun 3, 2009...

well yeah. haha lots of Filipinos are freaking lazies! and satisfied with their lives! :)) that makes sense. FILIPINOS (majority) DON'T HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND BRAVERY OF AIMING HIGH. Aim High Filipinos! :) Good Luck to all of us. I'll do good on college and the life after that. I wanna make all of us full. :)

margotapril
said Jun 16, 2009...

I was glad how foreigner like Jaeyoun Kim reacts and sympathized for Filipinos. But , i was worried about her letter...on her first part of her story,,,she said her father and brothers died because of famine, contrary to her last part that her parents went to manila and she forces THEM to take a ride ( boat ). " just a comment ".....Bay Breeze

margotapril
said Jun 16, 2009...

I think he should rewrite it again,

margotapril
said Jun 16, 2009...

filipinosRmonkeys
said Jul 24, 2009...

This Korean is obviously a reject from South Korea. His 3rd world improper filipino monkey English is evident that he hasn't learned anything worthwhile living in that dirty 3rd world monkey island. He's probably not allowed to come back to South Korea, and that's a good thing!

keroro
said Oct 2, 2009...

daijean11
said Oct 2, 2009...

well, most of this korean said is true but somehow i don't feel right.
it's like one side of my mind is saying he's right and the other one is
saying that he's a hypocrite. maybe he's really a good person but is he
SURE that his fellow koreans are like him(good/love their country)?
koreans, japanese, americans, filipinos ~ all the races in the
world..they have people that are good and that are not! he can't say
that all/most of the filipinos don't love their country 'cause he only
talked to TWO PRISONERS..he doesn't know everyone in the philippines,
so he shouldn't act like he knows all that's happening here.
when i've finished reading his essay, this phrase crossed my mind.."he's a racist but delivered it in a good way.."..lol..just my opinion..

halfbreedpinay
said Oct 4, 2009...

filipinos are always pointing fingers to one another.. lots of reactions instead of giving action.. we're always finding a way out and not finding ways to get through one problem.. we're striving hard for the wealth of ourselves and not for each & everyone.. most of all, filipinos (not all) are pulling oneself down.. kapag may umaasenso sa kapitbahay, naiinggit tayo (dont deny this pls).. we will think how our neighbor eh di makakaangat sa tin.. let's face it, this korean who wrote the letter above is right.. we're indeed lucky kc ang dami nating resources, masisipag, matatalino, at matyaga ang bawat Pilipino pero how come mas nagiging mahirap tayo everyday?? yes, we have corrupted government we can't deny that fact BUT if we change each of us into better, siguro naman may kahihiyan din yang mga nakaupong yan.. this is just my point of views lang po..

rougued
said Oct 5, 2009...

as i scrutinize every answer in this thread (of some sort), majority of all the answers say that the notion of this korean is right.. but, are we doing anything to change it? wouldn't it be such a pathetic act not to change the things we ought to be wrong?
always remember: less talk, more action..
+J.I.P.+

stopprejudice
said Oct 7, 2009...

can't we just stop blaming each other? it would do no good to all of us. let's just work hand in hand for progress. let's not lose hope. that's what kim is trying to say. Filipinos lack love for each other, coz they keep on pointing fingers and not doing anything. One for all. All for one. Godbless :-)
-Filipina

juanitomakabayan
said Oct 23, 2009...

A LETTER TO THE SOUTH KOREAN STUDENT
WHO WROTE A SHORT ESSAY ON THE PHILIPPINES
Dear Kim Jaeyoun,
Your short essay on the Philippines has been circulating around e-mail groups, blogs, and websites for years now. Thank you for your concern and thank you for calling on us Filipinos to love our country. It is precisely because we love our country dearly that is why we have raised our voices to condemn the corruption that has been going on for decades now.
Filipinos have always complained of corruption because it is a reality that one cannot deny. Several surveys can attest to this cancerous scourge devouring the nation. The Philippines’ dismal rating in the 2008 Global Corruption Report released by the Transparency International dropped 10 places from the previous year, tying for 141st place with Cameroon, Iran and Yemen.
Last year, the country tied for 131st place with Burundi, Honduras, Iran, Libya, Nepal and Yemen. In Asia, the Philippines rated higher than Indonesia at 143rd place. In 2007, Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) came out with a survey that the Philippines was the most corrupt country in Asia.
To say that corruption is not the problem only exacerbates the problem. It only serves to promote the culture of corruption now plaguing the country. By denying corruption and keeping silent about it we are making this culture of corruption the norm. Corruption continues to worsen the incidence of poverty and deny much-needed social services to millions of Filipinos.
The $329.48-million ZTE broadband network scam, the P728-million fertilizer scam, the Jose Pidal bank accounts, the Northrail project, the $14-million IMPSA power plant project, the P1.3-billion poll automation project, and the Macapagal Boulevard project, and lately the World Bank-funded road project - all these could have been spent to provide badly-needed education and health services to millions of impoverished Filipinos. It could have been used to help the Department of Education (DepEd) bridge its resource gaps of classrooms, textbooks and teachers or could also have been used to increase subsidies for indigent patients in government hospitals such as the Philippine General Hospital.
Now let us talk about your country. I really don’t know much about your country except that I highly admire the way you South Koreans have developed as a nation. From a poor nation after the war, you are now developed enough to be considered a first world nation. I admire your country and your people because you had the political will to build your nation. Like us, you battled dictatorships and military juntas. I was a student when I heard about the brave men and women of Kwangju who were mercilessly massacred by the troops of the military dictatorship. It was love of country that led to this 1980 pro-democracy uprising, they tried to quell it but the tanks and guns could not stop the freedom-loving South Koreans quest for democracy. .
And yes, you South Koreans had a strong sense of love for your country that is why you sent 2 of your former Presidents, Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo in 1995 to jail after being convicted of receiving bribes and inciting mutiny. You too had the courage to send the 2 sons of President Kim Dae-Jung to three-and.a-half years in prison for taking bribes from big business.
We Filipinos will have that kind of love of country too. And it will be soon.
Juanito Makabayan

kb0bz
said Jan 14, 2010...

kb0bz
said Jan 14, 2010...

FILIPINO IN MY DICTIONARY MEANS "LACK OF DECIPLINE" (PERIOD)

kb0bz
said Jan 14, 2010...

FILIPINO IN MY DICTIONARY MEANS "LACK OF DECIPLINE" (PERIOD)

omipogi
said Jan 23, 2010...

Yup, i agree with the Korean who wrote the essay..Love is all we need.. Let us stop pointing the mistakes to others. Lagi kasi tayong ngsisisihan e. I know may mga mali ring nagagawa ang government natin, but as the quote says "nobody's perfect". I think all we have to do is to trust kung sino man yung nasa pwesto. What happens is rally everyday and everywhere. Lagi kasi nating sinisisi yung nasa pwesto. We should think first kung ano ba yung nagagawa natin for our country. Para kasing everyone would like to be a leader. May mali lang na nagawa ung nasa pwesto or should I say na may nagawa lang na hindi natin gusto as an individual gusto na nating patalsikin. I bet after this election the history will repeat itself, after we vote for a new leader in a matter of time there will be rallies again shouting to oust that leader. Just like what my uncle said, there are too many nominees for the presidency and the Filipinos will be divided according to their number. So if one won with the vote of the 30% of the Filipinos. Imagine 70% of the Filipinos that will protest to remove him/her in the position. That made me realize na oo nga no,para tayong tanga magboboto ng leader tapos papatalsikin.hehe!.. We could love our country in many ways, not only by removing who's in the position because we think na yun ang tama. Like what the Korean said, love for our country and love for everyone.. And that love comes with the trust. ^_^

saffron
said Jan 23, 2010...

sweetlittleme486
said Jan 27, 2010...

When I had finished reading this essay, I totally agree with the writer.. Filipinos lack love.. And not only this, some of them have lost hope and thinks that they would be better off dead than living in such a dreadful life, and who wouldn't? Filipinos should work hard and help one another.. We should not lose hope and learn to realize that things in life are not always fair.. We should also learn to think wisely on the things we do and we want to do..We should not be lazy and wait for miracles to happen.. Because you know what, we make our own miracles.. It's our own choice and everything is in our own hands.. And because of corruption, this is also the reason why Filipinos are having hard times in their life.. And one reason is having a huge family.. Filipinos should have a law stating that there is a limit of having children.. Just like other countries.. Maybe three to four kids? Depending on how many they could give their children needs.. They should think about their budgets and make a decision and thinking about it many times until they are really convinced,than having it right away.. I know that Filipinos are really trying their best just to have a better life, but once we realize that we have tried very hard even for so many years of hard work, we end up of losing hope.. But we shouldn't lose hope,instead, we should do our best, but doing our best isn't really enough, we should put our hearts into it.. We should be happy on what we are doing, even if others think it's pathetic, but for us, make it a treasure and part of us..and, we should also realize that time is worth waiting.. We should also have patience.. So to all Filipinos, do not lose hope, we should face our future, no matter how hard it is or how easy, doing our best and loving what we do is worth living.. ^_^

T-Pinoy
said Jan 27, 2010...

I love the Philippines, even though i'm Taiwanese. My wife is filo, and we have a daughter. I went to the Philippines in late 2008. Even though it was my first time there from Australia, i loved it. I found it disturbing that most of the chinese looked down on the filos, and that got me worked up! Hence the reason why i don't hang out with chinese people. I call them users and abusers. All my Tito's/Tita's, Kuya's and Ate's are the most generous and happy people ever. Loving your country is fine, but it's how you make-do with what you have that counts the most.

kb0bz
said Jan 27, 2010...

>>saffron: hahaha...you're rite.. one thing i love filipinos becoz they know how to check the correct spelling...hehehe..but still no good,, ''LACKKKK OF DISCIPLINE'' : )

JonERoyeca
said May 14, 2010...

A REACTION TO A KOREAN STUDENT'S ESSAY INSULTING FILIPINOS FOR BEING LESS NATIONALISTIC
We Filipinos don’t get progressive because we lack nationalism?
Before anyone makes such an insult against a particular race, he should first undertake the necessary research and some observations, like the following:
1. He should fi...rst read Philippine history books to know that we Filipinos have always fought for our freedom and our native land – from the times of Lapu-lapu, Raha Soliman, Sultan Kudarat, Dagohoy, Sumuroy, Palaris, and dozens of other local heroes, to Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Mabini, and Jacinto; to the World War II generation, when a million Filipinos perished; and recently to the 1986 People Power Revolution.
2. He should observe that Filipino farmers, fishermen, professionals, employees,industrial workers, service personnel, and others work hard here and abroad to earn a decent living for themselves, for their loved ones, and for their country.
3. He should also observe that we Filipinos help one another in our works and festivities, and during personal agonies, man-made disasters, or natural calamities.
4. He should also look at those Filipinos who volunteer in social service and humanitarian endeavors like the Red Cross and rescue efforts; those who extend financial assistance to poor patients in the hospitals, to students from poor families, and to other needy people; those who plant trees and care for nature, the environment, and animals; and those many other unsung heroes among our countrymen.
Patriotism and nationalism may not always be tangible in our everyday lives, but when the imperative call for it comes, Filipinos respond enthusiastically.
A humbling example of that is the national and local elections of May 10, 2010, in which 38 out of the 50.7 million registered Filipino voters (that was a 75% voters’ turnout) trooped to the polling precincts, and most endured the 2- to 6-hour long wait, the extreme heat and humidity, the hunger, and the exhaustion, just to be able to cast our votes. We did all those sacrifices because we want change – a good government and good leaders. Why do we want all those? Because we care for our country – that’s how simple it is.
The Philippines is also a defender of the democracy of the free world. It is one of those countries that dispatched soldiers to the Korean Peninsula in 1950-53 to defend the South Koreans against the suicidal invasion by the fanatical communist North Koreans. One of those sent soldiers was Fidel V. Ramos, who became our nation’s president in 1992-98.
I am saddened by the fact that after we helped Korea defend its freedom and democracy in the past, here now comes an irresponsible Korean sporadically spitting on our faces by calling us less patriotic, which is a severe insult to all of our painstaking and hard-earned efforts towards a better country.
The problem with some people is that because they are already prosperous, they feel that they already have the right to lecture other citizens about nationalism.
And why did that Korean single out the Philippines? Of the more than 230 countries in the world, more than half are poorer than ours. Why doesn’t that Korean go to the more than 100 countries poorer than the Philippines and also lecture the peoples there about this thing called patriotism?
For those who want to know the real reasons why the Philippines is a poor country, the following link may help:
http://emanila.com/philippines/2010/01/19/why-is-the-philippines-a-poor-country/

JonERoyeca
said May 18, 2010...

My Thoughts On Koreans: Do They Really Love Their Country?According to the data of the World Bank and the International
Monetary Fund, in 2009, South Korea is the 15th largest economy and 9th
biggest exporter out of the 182 surveyed countries in the world. It
manufactures and exports electronics, computers, cameras, household
appliances, cars, construction equipment, ships, and other high-tech
and industrial products, amounting to more than US$350 billion a year.
(My own country, the Philippines, is ranked as the world's 47th
largest economy and 55th biggest exporter with more than US$50 billion
export revenues each year.)
From being one of the poorest and the most backward up to the
1950's, South Koreans are now among the world's wealthiest peoples.
Koreans believe that they have achieved all of those economic
successes because of discipline, perseverance, and most of all,
patriotism, their passionate love for the native land. They do love
their country.
Really?
Dr. Syngman Rhee was elected as the first president of the Republic
of Korea when it was established in 1948. He was reelected thrice, but
he suffered unpopularity because of corruption, fraud, and terrorism
committed by his political party right under his nose.
The people deplored his third reelection in March 1960 because of
widespread electoral fraud. They rioted in the cities, sacked the homes
of corrupt government officials, and clashed with the police. The
uprising forced Rhee a month later to flee the country and settle in
Hawaii with his family and with their loot.
Corruption, terrorism, and fraud tarnished the image of the "Father
of Korean Independence" and the country's very first president.
Rhee's successor, John M. Chang, began a four-year term in July
1960, but was overthrown ten months later by a military rebellion led
by General Park Chung-hee. Park claimed that the military had to
intervene to save the country from further corruption. He led the
country until he got assassinated in 1970.
Chun Doo Hwan staged a coup in 1980 and was the nation's leader
until 1988. In 1996, he was sentenced to death after having been found
guilty of mutiny, treason, and corruption. His successor, Roh Tae Woo,
was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the same offenses. They were
soon pardoned by Pres. Kim Young-sam.
On May 19, 2000, South Korea’s Prime Minister Park Tae-joon, one of
the country’s prominent industrialists, resigned from office after a
court ruled that he had evaded taxes by entrusting real estate to a
third person. The court ordered him to pay the government US$1.2
million in taxes (AFP, May 20, 2000).
In April-June 2001, the South Korean government arrested 251
banking agency officials and businessmen for corruption and bribery,
which cost the country US$1.5 billion. One of those arrested was a
former vice defense minister who accepted bribes in return for business
favors (AFP, June 30, 2001).
On November 30, 2001, South Korea’s finance minister apologized to
the public after a state-run audit agency reported that, based on a
six-month investigation of 87 banks and non-banking financial
institutions, there were 182 cases of misuse or embezzlement by the
recipients of public money amounting to US$5.64 billion. The agency
asked prosecutors to investigate 44 individuals for allegedly
embezzling public funds (Reuters, December 1, 2001).
The culture of Korean corruption has already made it into the international arena.
In December 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice ordered the South
Korea-based Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., the world’s largest maker of
memory chips for computers and other gadgets, and its U.S. subsidiary,
Samsung Semiconductor Ltd., to pay a US$300 million fine to settle
accusations that it secretly conspired with industry rivals to fix
prices and cheat customers.
The justice department had earlier also ordered Samsung’s rivals,
Hynix (another Korea-based company) and Infineon Technologies AG (of
Germany), to pay US$185 million and US$160 million, respectively, for
the same offenses (AP, December 16, 2005).
My own country also has the vicious problems of graft and
corruption. But I have yet to hear a Philippine-based corporation or
any other business firms being slapped with a severe punishment
amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars by the government of
another country.
In May 2009, Roh Moo-hyun, the country's president in 2003-08,
jumped to his death in the mountains of rural Korea. He was the first
national leader to undertake suicide because of bribery and corruption
charges. The corruption committed must have been so massive and
shameful that they only possible way out was self-extermination.
Koreans project to the world that they are prosperous because they do love their country.
They are prosperous, there's nothing to argue about it. But if they
really love their country, why is it that graft and corruption has
permeated their culture and society? Why is it that it has always been
rampant, be it in the government or private sector?
I am not making any accusations that Koreans don't love their
country. I am not like many Koreans who get intoxicated when they
insult the Filipinos by calling us less patriotic.
I am only asking why graft and corruption has always accompanied the vaunted Korean patriotism.
Source:
http://www.facebook.com/search/?post_form_id=cfbb729c829d479f0f584924f5074d40&q=jon+e+royeca&init=quick&ref=search_preload#!/note.php?note_id=117933141576533

JonERoyeca
said May 18, 2010...

MORE REACTIONS TO A KOREAN STUDENT'S ESSAY INSULTING FILIPINOS FOR BEING LESS NATIONALISTICPATRIOTIC DEEDS ARE ALL NOTHING!
For some people, the patriotic deeds of the Filipinos in the past and in the present are all nothing!
The past is past; it doesn't count anymore. And so the gallantry,
sacrifices, blood, and tears of our ancestors, of our heroes and
heroines, of the Filipinos who staged in 1896-98 the revolution against
Spanish, of the Filipinos who fought in
1899-1906 the American forces, of the more than one million Filipinos
who perished in the fight for freedom against the Japanese invaders in
1941-45, and of the Filipinos who braved armored tanks and warplanes
during the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution -- all of these are
nothing because they are already the past! They don't prove anything at
all that we Filipinos had done patriotic deeds in the past and that we
could still do them again.
The majority of Filipino voters who demonstrated the spirit of
burning patriotism in the May 10, 2010, national and local elections --
they are all nothing!
The majority of Filipinos today who work hard and strive hard, here
or abroad, to earn for themselves and for their loved ones, and to
become productive and honorable citizens of our country -- they are all
nothing!
For some people, the patriotic deeds of the Filipinos in the past
and in the present are all nothing! They don't measure up to anything!
They don't count!
For those people, the one that counts is that Korean student's essay!
Purihin ang langit! Yepeee! TRAITORS
Those people who obstinately cling to that racist Korean student's
essay belong to the breed of individuals who love believing what
foreigners say against Filipinos.
Instead of defending their very own race, the race of their
ancestors, parents, and children, they rather clap the insults of the
foreigners.... See More
They are no different from those canines who betrayed their own countrymen to the Japanese during World War II.
If the Japanese invade again our country today, those canines will
be the first to their point fingers at, and betray, their countrymen to
the invaders.STUPID BELIEFS
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The belief that rich nations are rich because their citizens
are patriotic and that poor nations are poor because their citizens lack
patriotism is no different from such other stupid beliefs as the following:
1. Handsome or good-looking guys cannot commit rape; only
the ugly men can.
2. Rich people don't steal; only the poor do.
3. White people don't shoplift; only the blacks do.
Most countries and most citizens of the world are poor. If
we would follow that stupid belief on patriotism, it would appear that it is
only the wealthy people who are and who know how to be patriotic, while the
poor citizens don't know how to love their respective nations.

herotv10
said Jun 3, 2010...

Wow, I'm really touched about that article.Well, let's help one another along with the Next President to raise our country from poverty. Even the simplest things can do wonders that can change the point of view of many foreigners about our country.

MaligayangMalaya
said Jun 10, 2010...

I agree that economically speaking the Philippines is not a wealthy country but how do you measure wealth? Is it by money? Is it by the material things that you can have? I would venture to say that the Filipinos in the Philippines have a better approach to life compared to other countries that claims to be rich. It is true that democracy in the Philippines is unique in a sense that anybody can choose thier way of life and that nobody forces them to become rich. Happines and contentment is the key factor why Filipinos hold on to thier life and had a very few cases of suicides. Compared to other rich countires whose happiness depends on thier wealth and material things, the Filipinos are very content of what they have. Sure they have ambitions and dreams in life but that's not the main reason why Filipinos have to abandon thier contentment and pursue the fruit of material things that only multiplies the burden and cares that people from rich nations have. Godliness with contentment is of great gain. Am sure glad to be a part of this country. And by the way, loving your country has nothing to do with what you have...it's how content you are to be with your Motherland in her ups and downs. I am a very satisfied Filipino! And I love my Country!

JEWKYKE
said Jun 16, 2010...

Philippinos are pretty dumb...Koreans aint too much smarter. When u get a dumb douche going to a country thats even more backwards to get a degree...get real life dumb gookj.......u r the STUPID ONE. Koreans think they have money and go to a country that has a lower economic index then them (FOR STUPID KOREANS LOOK THAT WORD UP IN GOOGLE) they think they are great. Listen u couldnt get into even a crap school in the US thats why u went to the philippines. STOP dissing other people and kill yourself. OXYGEN is precious. Anyways population control is what can keep Korean going so u stupid fuckers all die GOOKS

MaligayangMalaya
said Jun 28, 2010...

MaligayangMalaya
said Jun 28, 2010...

부정적인 사고는 나빠요 You have no idea what you're talking about...so shut up!

MaligayangMalaya
said Jun 28, 2010...

Let's Go Korea! Let's Go Philippines!

leexa11
said Jun 29, 2010...

For me the Korean who wrote this letter just want to have
Love for our country.. So I realized that we need to love ... to beloved.
and help each other. Hope after many years Philippines will change.. or the GOVERNANCE!! CHANGE!!!
Gobyerno lang naman nag papa hirap sa PIlipinas..

mhismst
said Jul 3, 2010...

I just realized many Philippinos have a strong sense of pride for their country which is not that much helpful for their country and their lives. Please think and see objectively and try to accept what other people think about your country. Stop blaming others and look back on yourself. If you don't want to be insulted, try to make things better not to be insulted.
Okay, I'm a Korean staying in Philippines. Back in the past, we, Koreans, were insulted and ignored by many people from other developed countries. However, we didn't blame them. Of course, we did blame them but in heart. Instead, we focused on making things better working harder and doing our best to develop the country. We just accept what other people point out and try to change the situation not to be looked down on.
Think about this.

Gil
said Oct 20, 2010...

I think we should not keep rejecting our own country when we are abroad. A lot of Filipinos are keep telling foreign nationals about all the negative part of our home country. Obviously, it is not good for us nor to these stupid people. Foreign countries would simply look us down. Kahit ano pa ang paninira mo sa kapwa at pinanggalingan mo ay hindi na magbabago ang mukha mo. Lalo pa yang papangit at dudungawin ka lalo ng mga banyaga. We should invest in our own home country and help our fellow countrymen to make more progress. Don't ever try to destroy your own land. Keep helping to provide more opportunity.
dronelayer@yahoo.com

leonelsonlibuna
said Nov 1, 2010...

in a politics and governance major point of view, korea is much more luckier that the had civil wars, because true reforms can only get after you felt pain, hopelessness and destruction. nakakatakot isipin na this is the only way for us (philippines) to grasp the meaning of patriotism.

secretmalupet@hotmail.com
said Nov 26, 2010...

IT IS NOVEMBER 26, 2010.. NEAR DECEMBER, NEAR 2011 NOTHING GOOD HAPPENED.. PHILIPPINES IS STILL A COUNTRY OF POVERTY A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY, AND A LAST WORLD COUNTRY YEARS FROM NOW.. THE FILIPINO POLITICIANS ARE FULL OF SHIT THEY ARE IMMORAL SELF-CENTERED AND CORRUPT PEOPLE WHO ARE THE ASSISTANTS OF DEVIL AND SATAN.. EVERY CORRUPT POLITICANS SHALL VANISH AND FUCKIN SUFFER AT HELL.. THIS I PROMISE.. TO YOU!

chicka_tricia
said Mar 30, 2011...

I strongly agree with Mr. Jaeyoun Kim regarding the faced poverty in the Philippines. He aims to send his message in the vast popularity among Filipinos for he authentically cares about its economy and desires to find a resolution for the country. Philippines has been trying yet to improve its state since it has gained independence, and has maintained to govern it country up till this point, however, this movement is sadly not sufficient enough for its whole impact. That is why many of the rich to average class families, or at least one member of the family desperately searches a way to immigrate or work and eventually leave the country. We must not encourage the people to do so for many will neglect the wonderful culture, places and things only found in the country itself.
In all honesty, though, I was extremely saddened to know this fact by a non-national by myself (no offense intended).Only now did I realize that Philippines need much love to achieve beyond their goals. But at most, I was really astounded by how this humble fellow expressed his opinions with great efforts towards a better future for the Philippines. His message is so inspirational, that it makes me want to spread the word and do some 'action' myself although I am slightly under-aged. Thank you for publicizing this remarkable essay! My family and I support you!
Please continue to stand up for your opinions and not let your efforts go to waste. I believe that Philippines will eventually listen to this message. I cannot thank you enough for opening our eyes and ears to reality.